Foldable percussion musical instrument

ABSTRACT

A percussion musical instrument includes a first support frame for holding one group of tone bars and a second support frame for carrying another group of tone bars. The second support frame has both of its longitudinal ends connected rotatably to the corresponding longitudinal ends of the first frame in such a manner that the tone bars carried on the second support frame are made collectively to rotate between the first position horizontally aligned with the tone bars of the first support frame and the second position where the tone bass of the second support frame spatially face those of the first support frame, whereby the instrument can be easily set in the first position for performance and to the second position convenient for the whole musical instrument to be carried by the player himself.

United States Patent 1 Suzuki [451 Dec.4, 1973 FOLDABLE PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENT [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hamamatsu-shi, Japan [22] Filed: Aug. 11, 1972 [2l] Appl. No.: 279,760

Shigeo Suzuki, Hamamatsu, Japan [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 12, 1972 Japan 46/71671 Aug. 12, 1971 Japan 46/7l672 [52] US. Cl. 84/403, 84/402 [51] Int. Cl. Gl0d 13/08 [58] Field of Search 84/402, 403, 404

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 674,604 5/ l90l Deagan 84/403 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 930,153 7/1963 Great Britain 84/403 Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Vit W. Miska AttorneySolon B. Kemon et al.

[57 ABSTRACT A percussion musical instrument includes a first support frame for holding one group of tone bars and a second support frame for carrying another group of tone bars. The second support frame has both of its longitudinal ends connected rotatably to the corresponding longitudinal ends of the first frame in such a manner that the tone bars carried on the second support frame are made collectively to rotate between the first position horizontally aligned with the tone bars of the first support frame and the second position where the tone bass of the second support frame spatially face those of the first support frame, whereby the instrument can be easily set in the first position for performance and to the second position convenient for the whole musical instrument to be carried by the player himself.

22 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures wnmnnn: 4 m5 sum 10F 2" FIG.

FIG. 2A F|G.2B

FIG. 4

PMENTEDDEC 4 I975 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG. 5

FIG. 7

FOLDABLE' PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to percussion musical instruments such as xylophones, metaelophones,.marimbas, vibraphones and glockenspiels and more particularly to percussion musical instruments capable of being car ried by the player in compact form.

The aforementioned types of percussion musical instrument generally have one group of first tone bars for generating natural tonesof the predetermined pitches or frequencies corresponding to those of the white keys of a piano and another group of second tone bars for producing sharp and flat tones of the predetermined pitches corresponding to the black keys of the piano. The first tone bars are arranged in the order of musical notes nearer to the player, while the second tone bars are disposed similarly in the order of musical notes beyond the first tone bars as viewed from the player at aslightly higher level than the first tone bars. "These two groups of tone bars are mounted on separate support frames in a state capable of effecting free mechanical vibrations, that is, in a floating condition. A percussion musical instrument of the above-mentioned construction has a considerable lengh and width, presenting great inconvenience when the player carries it.

To eliminate such difficulties, various percussion musical instruments which can be easily carried by the player himself have heretofore been proposed. A typical type of such portable percussion musical instrument is designed to have a natural tone bar assembly and a sharp-flat tone bar assembly so coupled as to be separated and superposed on each other in transport.

However, such type of percussion musical instrument requires both groups of tone bars to be separated in transport and again assembled in performance. This operation consumes a great deal of work and time and is accompanied with the drawback of possibly damaging the surface of the tone bars which bear significant importance for a percussion musical instrument.

Another portable percussion musical instrument of the prior art, for example, a large high gradetype for a concert use is so designed that not only tone bars, but also support legs thereof and constituent-parts such as resonance pipes disposed thereunder can be dismembered individually. However, this type of percussion musical instrument also has the disadvantage that the dismemberment and assembly of parts isa more timeconsuming work than is required for the preceding type.

It is accordingly the object of this invention to provide a percussion musical instrument which can be quickly made ready for either performacnce or transport by the player himself particularly without damaging the operable surface of the tone bars.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A percussion musical instrument according to the preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a first support frame for carrying-one group of tone bars designed to produce natural tones and a second support frame for holding another group of tone bars designed to generate sharp'and flat tones connected rotatably to the corresponding longitudinal ends of the first frame in such a manner that the tone bars carried on the second support frame are made collectively to rotate between the first position horizontally aligned with the tone bars of the first support frame and the second position where the tone bars of the second support frame spatially face those of the first support frame. The second support frame is provided with support legs to hold the instrument on a desk or floor when'set in the first position and to hold spatially the second frame above the first support frame when the second frame is brought to the second position.

A percussion musical instrument of the aforesaid construction enables the first natural tone bar assembly and the second sharp-flat tone bar assembly to be easily set in a position either for performance or transport by the player himself simply by rotating through substantially the second support frame carrying the second sharp-flat tone bar assembly with the operable surface of the tone bars kept free from any damage, thus eliminating the necessity of separating both first and second tone bar assemblies in advance as is the case with the prior art portable percussion musical instrument.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a percussion musical instrument according to an embodiment of this invention set in a normal position for performance;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are enlarged front and side views of a connector in accordance with this invention for joining both tone bar assemblies of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view ofboth tone bar assemblies where they are going to be set in a position for performance or transport by the player by means of the connector of FIGS. 2A and 2B; 1

FIG. 4 is a front view of a percussion musical instrument according to said embodiment of this invention where it is set in a state ready to be carried by the player;

FIG. 5 illustrates the relative positions of the tone bars and the connector indicated in phantom;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the leg portion of FIG. 4; and

FIGS. -7 and 8 are perspective views of the different modifications of the leg portion of FIG. 6.-

DESCRIPTION OF THE'PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A percussion musical instrument according to the preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described by reference to the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the percussion musical instrument where it is set in a normal position for performance. Numeral 16 represents a frame which comprises two longitudinal end walls or panels 12 and 13 disposed at an interval matching the length of a percussion musical instrument l0 and two longitudinal frame boards or members 14 and 15 bridging the end walls 12 and 13 with the interval of the frame members 14 and 15 progressively reduced from one longitudinal end to the other of the instrument l0. Tone bars 11 prepared to generate natural tones are supported on the frame 16 in the following manner. On those parts of the surfaces of the two longitudinal frame members 14 and 15 frame members 14 and are bored in advance with a pair of transverse holes 19. Thus the tone bars 11 are set in place on the two longitudinal frame members 14 and 15 in the order of musical notes each in a state interposed between the adjacent frets 18. A cord is stretched through the holes 17 perforated in the frets 18 and the two transverse holes 19 bored at the two nodal points of the tone bars 1 1 and has both of its ends fastened with a-proper tension. Accordingly, the tone bars 11 are mounted on the two longitudinal frame members 14 and 15 in a floating condition capable of effecting free mechanical vibrations to generate vibrated tones of the predetermined pitches or frequencies when selectively struck with ball hammers.

Another support frame 26 which similarly comprises two longitudinal end walls 22 and'23 disposed at an interval matching the length of the instrument 10 and two longitudinal frame members 24 and bridging the end walls 22 and 23 with the interval of frame members 24 and 25 progressively reduced from one longitudinal end to the other of the instrument 10 is provided. The tone bars 21 designed to produce sharp and flat tones and each bored at its nodal points with a pair of transverse holes 29 are mounted on the support frame 26 in a floating condition capable of effecting free mechanical vibrations by means of frets 28 bored at the top with through holes 27 (FIG. 3) like the aforesaid frets 18 and a cord 30 similar to the above-mentioned cord 20.

According to the percussion musical instrument of this invention, the longitudinal end walls 12 and 22 disposed at one longitudinal end of the support frames 16 and 26 and the longitudinal end walls 13 and 23 positioned at the other longitudinal end of the support frames 16 and 26 are, respectively, joined by means of connectors 31, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the following manner.

Each connector 31 comprises a pairof plate members 32 and 33 of different lengths, each substantially L-shaped in cross section. The bent portions 32b and 33b of the plate members 32 and 33 project parallel in the same direction and the upper nonbent portions 320- and 33a are rotatably joined together at the top by a rivet 34.

On the bent portion 32b of the longer plate member- 32 is mounted onelongitudinal end of the end wall 12 or 13 of the support frame 16. And on the bent portion 33b of the shorter plate member 33 is placed that longitudinal end of the wall 22 or 23 of the'support frame 26 which faces the one longitudinal end of the end wall 12 or 13 of the support frame 16. The same side end walls 12-22 and 13-23 of both support frames 16 and 26 are fixed to the connector 31 by means of screws and 36.

Under the above-mentioned arrangement, the support frame 26, that is, the sharp-flat tone bar assembly is raised in a normal state of performance above the support frame 16, that is, the natural tone bar assembly to an extent equal to the difference between the length of the longer nonbent portion 32a and that of the shorter nonbent portion 33a of the connector 31. Though the units of the natural tone bars 11 and those of the sharp-flat tone bars 21 slightly overlap each other at one end, they project parallel in the opposite directions at the other end, offering convenience for performance. Where the musical instrument 10 is to be carried by the player himself, the support frame 26 carrying the sharpflat tone bars 21 has only to be rotated through an angle of substantially 180 degrees about the pivotal rivets 34'of the connector 31 in the direction of the arrow 41 of FIG. 3. This rotation causes the support frame 26 to be superposed, as illustrated in FIG. 4, on the support frame 16 with the operable surfaces of both tone bars 11 and 21 so positioned as to spatially face each other. Namely, the musical instrument 10 as a whole is folded into a state convenient to be carried by the player. To bring the musical instrument 10 back to the state of performance shown in FIG. 1, the support frame 26 has only to be rotated through an angle of substantially 180 degrees in the opposite direction to the preceding case, namely, in the direction of the arrow 42 of FIG. 3.

What calls for attention in this case is 1 Rotation of the support frame 26 is effected easily and quickly 2 When folded, as shown in FIG. 4, to have both tone bar assemblies superposed on each other, the musical instrument 10 has its volume or particularly its height as much reduced as possible to render it compact 3 When the support frame 26 is fully rotated, the operable surfaces of both tone bars 11 and 21 are saved from damage due to possible contact therebetween.

To meet the requirements of the above items (1) and (2), the pivotal rivets 34 should be provided in a lowest possible position, insofar as rotation of the support frame 26 is not obstructed.

Further, one requisite condition to comply with the above item (3) is that the tone bars 21 on the support frame 26 be disposed in as much lower a position than the pivotal rivet 34 of the connector 31 as possible. This arrangement, however, goes contrary to the requirement of the item (2) in particular. For practical purpose, therefore, it is preferred that the tone bars 21 on the support frame 26 be rotated about the pivotal rivet 34 of the connector 31 disposed substantially half way through the height of the tone bars 21 so as to prevent them from touching the opposite tone bars 11 on the support frame 16.

Another requisite condition for the item (3) is that when folded, as illustrated in FIG. 4, both tone bar assemblies on the support frames 16 and 26 be so superposed on each other in parallel relationship as to allow a proper clearance to prevent their direct abutment.

A practical means for meeting the requirement of the item (3) may comprise, for example, suitable spacers 51 which will be interposed between the end walls 12 and 22, and 13 and 23 when folded as shown in FIG. 4. Though the spacers 51 may be separately provided, the object is also attained by designing as described below those support legs for concurrent use as spacers which are fitted to the support frame 26 so as to securely set the musical instrument 10 on a desk or floor for performance.

To the inside of both end walls 22 and 23 included in the support frame 26 are fitted plate-like support legs 51 (only one shown in FIG. 6 in enlargement) which are provided at one longitudinal end with pins 52 to make rotations in the direction of the indicated arrow 53 or 54. The plate-like support legs 51 have such a length that they rest on a desk or floor when the musical instrument 10 is played in a state (see FIG. 1) and where the instrument 10 is to be carried by the player himself, they are rotated at the other end by means of the pins 52 clockwise as indicated by the arrow 53 through an angle of substantially degrees and are placed on the top of the end walls 12 and 13 of the opposite support frame 16, thereby preventing the tone bars 21 from touching the opposite tone bars 11 when the former are superposed on the latter.

For the firm fitting of the support legs 51 to the top surface of the end walls 12 and 13 of the support frame 16 when the musical instrument is folded, the other end 55 of each support leg 51 is bent parallel with the top surface of the end wall 12 or 13. As apparent from the solid line representation of FIG. 6, the bent portion 55 of each support leg 51 has a substantially U-shaped notch 56 so cut out as to open toward the center of each end wall 12 or 13 in its longitudinal direction. The bent portion 55 of the support leg 51 is further covered with a rubber cap 57 having substantially the same size and shape, which acts as a buffer for'reducing any excessive mechanical shock which would arise when the support leg 51 is rotated clockwise on to the top surface of the end wall 12 or 13. That part of the end wall 12 or 13 which is contacted by the rubber-capped bent portion 55 of the support leg 51 when the musical instrument 10 is folded is fitted with a screw 60 which projects upward from the end wall surface to an extent equal to the thickness of the rubber-capped bent portion 55. The screw 60 consists of a body'58 having a sufficient diameter to allow the screw 60 to be inserted into the aforesaid U-shaped notch 56 and a head 59 having a fully larger diameter than the width of the U- shaped notch 56. a 4

A percussion musical instrument of this invention constructed as'described above has the advantage of being easily handled, because it can be set in a position ready for performance or to be carried by the player himself simply by rotating the second sharp-fiat tone bar assembly through an angle of substantially 180 degrees on to or away from the first natural tone bar assembly. Moreover, the musical instrument 10 includes support legs 51 concurrently acting as spacers between both tone bar assemblies when the instrument 10 is folded for transport by the player, reliably preventing both tone bar assemblies from having their surfaces damaged by contact.

Y FIG.7 is a modification of the support leg 51 of FIG. 6. The support legs 511 of FIG." 7 are each formed of a plate-like member extending substantially linearly from one longi-tudinal end to the otherwithout bearing a bent portion like that of FIG. 6. One end of the sup port leg 511 is fitted to the inside .of the end wall 22 or 23 of the support frame 26 by a pin 521 to rotate thereabout in the direction of the arrow 53 or 54, while the other end of the support leg 51 l is brought to the inside of the end wall 22 or 23 instead of being rotated on to the top surface thereof when the musical instrument 10 is folded for transpert by the player. In this case, a U- shaped notch 561 covered with a rubber cap 571 is cut out in the other end of the support leg 511. Further the inside of the end wall 22 or 23 is fitted with a screw 601 being inserted into the notch 561.

FIG. 8 is still another modification of the support leg 51 of FIG. 6. While the support legs 51 and 511 of FIGS. 6 and 7 are made to rotate through an angle of substantially 180 degrees when the musical instrument 10 is set in a position ready for performance or to be carried by the player, the modification 512 of FIG. 8 simply makes vertical movements instead of rotations. The support leg 512 comprises a plate-like member perforated at the longitudinal center with an elongate slit 71. The inside of the end wall 22 or 23 is fitted with a projecting pin 73 headed with a butterfly nut 72. Thus the elongate slit 71 is supported by the pin 73 to slide vertically in the direction of the arrow 74 or 75. The parts of FIG. 8 corresponding to those of FIG. 6 are denoted by the corresponding numerals and description thereof is omitted. Numeral 76 denotes a rubber cap covering the end of the plate-like member, the rubber cap serving as a buffer means. The support leg 512 of FIG. 8 constructed as described above can obviously be operated with substantially the same effect as the support legs 51 and 511 of FIGS. 6 and 7.- i

What is claimed is:

I. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, said one group of tone bars being held substantially in one flat plane, a second support frame holding another group of tone bars, said another group of tone bars being held substantially in another flat plane, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said connecting means comprising a first connecting member extending from said first support frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to said one flat plane, a second connecting member extending from said second support frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to said another flat plane, said first and second connecting members each having two opposite end portions, one of said end portions of said first connecting member being fixed to said first support frame, one of said end portions of said second connecting member being fixed to said second support frame, and a fulcrum rotatably connecting said first and a second connecting members at the other of said end portions of said first and second connecting members, the distance between said fulcrum and said first support frame being greater than the distance between said fulcrum and said second support frame, so that said second support frame is capable of being positioned above said first support frame.

2. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said second support frame can rotate about said connecting means through an angle of substantially 180 between a position wherein said first and second support frames are arranged substantially in side-by-side relation to each other and a position superposed. thereon.

3. The musical instrument according to claim 5 wherein said second support frame has at least one downward projecting support leg and said support leg is fitted to the wall set up at the longitudinal end of the musical instrument.

4. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein each of said connecting means is formed of a substantially L-shaped plate having a bent portion at the one end portion of said connecting member, and said first and second support frames are mounted on said bent portions of said connecting members respectively.

5. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said first and second support frames are each formed of two walls set up at both longitudinal ends of the musical instrument and two longitudinal frame members bridging said end walls at a predetermined space, with both groups of said tone bars mounted on said frame members in a floating condition, said connecting means being provided between the walls of said first and second support frames.

6. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means has a fulcrum disposed substantially halfway through the height of the tone bars on the second support frame. 7

7. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said second support frame has at least one downward projecting support leg.

8. The musical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said at least one support leg is rotatably fitted at one end to the second support frame so as to assume two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said leg serves as a support for the second support frame at one"v of said two projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two projecting positions.

9. The musical instrument according to claim 8 wherein said support legs are each covered at said other end with a cap of resilient material.

10. The musical instrument according to claim 8 wherein said support leg is provided with "a bent portion at the other end thereof, said bent portion having a substantially U-shaped notch, said notch being engageable with a screw projectively provided on the top surface of said first support frame.

11. The musical instrument according to claim 8 wherein said support leg has at the other end a substantially U-shaped notch cut out therein and engages a screw projectively provided on the side surface of said first support frame.

12. The musical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said support leg comprises an elongate platelike member which is perforated at the longitudinal center with an elongate hole to slide vertically along one side of the second support frame, and means for holding said plate-like member at any sliding position, said holding means being inserted in said elongate hole, said plate-like member assuming two'opposite project ing positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said member serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two opposite projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two opposite projecting positions.

13. The musical instrument according to claim 11 wherein said support leg has at least one of the both ends covered with a cap of resilient material.

14. The musical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said leg is linearly slidably supported by said second support frame so as to take two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said leg serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two projecting positions.

15. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, a second support frame carrying another group of tone bars, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said connecting means having a fulcrum disposed substantially halfway through the height of the tone bars on the second support frame.

16. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, a second support frame carrying another group of tone bars, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said second support frame having at least one downward projecting support leg, said support leg being rotatably fitted at one end to the second support frame so as to assume two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said leg serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two projecting positions and as'a spacer between the first and second support frames atthe other of two projecting positions.

17. The musical instrument according to claim 16 wherein said support legs are each covered at said other end with a cap of resilient material.

18 The musical instrument according to claim 16 wherein said support leg is provided with a bent portion at the other end thereof, said bent portion having a substantially U-shaped notch, said notch being engagable with a screw projectively provided on the top surface of said first support frame.

19. The musical instrument according to claim 16 wherein said support leg has at the other end a substantially U-shaped notch cut out therein and engages a screw projectively provided on the side surface of said first support frame.

20. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, a second support frame carrying another group of tone bars, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said second support frame having at least one downward projecting support leg, said support leg comprising an elongate plate-like member which is perforated at the longitudinal center with an elongate hole to slide vertically along one side of the second support frame, and means for holding said plate-like member at any sliding position,

said holding means being inserted in said elongate hold, said plate-like member assuming two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said member serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two opposite projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two opposite projecting positions.

21. The musical instrument according to claim 20 wherein said support leg has at least one of the both ends covered with a cap of resilient material.

22. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, a second support frame carrying another group of tone bars, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said second support frame having at least one downward projecting support leg, said leg being linearly slidably supported by said second support frame so as to take two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said leg serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two projecting positions.

I l t 

1. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, said one group of tone bars being held substantially in one flat plane, a second support frame holding another group of tone bars, said another group of tone bars being held substantially in another flat plane, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said connecting means comprising a first connecting member extending from said first support frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to said one flat plane, a second connecting member extending from said second support frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to said another flat plane, said first and second connecting members each having two opposite end portions, one of said end portions of said first connecting member being fixed to said first support frame, one of said end portions of said second connecting member being fixed to said second support frame, and a fulcrUm rotatably connecting said first and a second connecting members at the other of said end portions of said first and second connecting members, the distance between said fulcrum and said first support frame being greater than the distance between said fulcrum and said second support frame, so that said second support frame is capable of being positioned above said first support frame.
 2. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said second support frame can rotate about said connecting means through an angle of substantially 180* between a position wherein said first and second support frames are arranged substantially in side-by-side relation to each other and a position superposed thereon.
 3. The musical instrument according to claim 5 wherein said second support frame has at least one downward projecting support leg and said support leg is fitted to the wall set up at the longitudinal end of the musical instrument.
 4. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein each of said connecting means is formed of a substantially L-shaped plate having a bent portion at the one end portion of said connecting member, and said first and second support frames are mounted on said bent portions of said connecting members respectively.
 5. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said first and second support frames are each formed of two walls set up at both longitudinal ends of the musical instrument and two longitudinal frame members bridging said end walls at a predetermined space, with both groups of said tone bars mounted on said frame members in a floating condition, said connecting means being provided between the walls of said first and second support frames.
 6. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means has a fulcrum disposed substantially halfway through the height of the tone bars on the second support frame.
 7. The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said second support frame has at least one downward projecting support leg.
 8. The musical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said at least one support leg is rotatably fitted at one end to the second support frame so as to assume two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said leg serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two projecting positions.
 9. The musical instrument according to claim 8 wherein said support legs are each covered at said other end with a cap of resilient material.
 10. The musical instrument according to claim 8 wherein said support leg is provided with a bent portion at the other end thereof, said bent portion having a substantially U-shaped notch, said notch being engageable with a screw projectively provided on the top surface of said first support frame.
 11. The musical instrument according to claim 8 wherein said support leg has at the other end a substantially U-shaped notch cut out therein and engages a screw projectively provided on the side surface of said first support frame.
 12. The musical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said support leg comprises an elongate plate-like member which is perforated at the longitudinal center with an elongate hole to slide vertically along one side of the second support frame, and means for holding said plate-like member at any sliding position, said holding means being inserted in said elongate hole, said plate-like member assuming two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said member serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two opposite projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two opposite projecting positions.
 13. The musical instrument according to claim 11 wherein said support leg has at least one of the both ends covered with a cap of resilIent material.
 14. The musical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said leg is linearly slidably supported by said second support frame so as to take two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said leg serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two projecting positions.
 15. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, a second support frame carrying another group of tone bars, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said connecting means having a fulcrum disposed substantially halfway through the height of the tone bars on the second support frame.
 16. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, a second support frame carrying another group of tone bars, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said second support frame having at least one downward projecting support leg, said support leg being rotatably fitted at one end to the second support frame so as to assume two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said leg serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of two projecting positions.
 17. The musical instrument according to claim 16 wherein said support legs are each covered at said other end with a cap of resilient material.
 18. The musical instrument according to claim 16 wherein said support leg is provided with a bent portion at the other end thereof, said bent portion having a substantially U-shaped notch, said notch being engagable with a screw projectively provided on the top surface of said first support frame.
 19. The musical instrument according to claim 16 wherein said support leg has at the other end a substantially U-shaped notch cut out therein and engages a screw projectively provided on the side surface of said first support frame.
 20. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, a second support frame carrying another group of tone bars, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said second support frame having at least one downward projecting support leg, said support leg comprising an elongate plate-like member which is perforated at the longitudinal center with an elongate hole to slide vertically along one side of the second support frame, and means for holding said plate-like member at any sliding position, said holding means being inserted in said elongate hold, said plate-like member assuming two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said member serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two opposite projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two opposite projecting positions.
 21. The musical instrument according to claim 20 wherein said support leg has at least one of the both ends covered with a cap of resilient material.
 22. A foldable percussion musical instrument comprising a first support frame carrying one group of tone bars, a second support frame carrying another group of tone bars, and connecting means for rotatably joining said first and second support frames, said second support frame having at least one downward projecting support leg, said leg being linearly slidably supported by said second support frame so as to take two opposite projecting positions with respect to the second support frame, whereby said leg serves as a support for the second support frame at one of said two projecting positions and as a spacer between the first and second support frames at the other of said two projecting positions. 